"I love you too, Nate."
"I have to go. See you soon."
"Okay. Take care of yourself."
I smile and lean against the wall. Meanwhile, the meeting ends, and Dad comes out to look for me.
"Next time, turn off the phone."
"I won’t do that."
"Isabel!"
"No, Dad, that's enough. I'll come and support you if necessary, but I won't pursue a political career. I'm a lawyer, and I love my job. And as for my cell phone, it'll always stay on. If Nathan calls, I have to answer."
I turn around and leave without giving him a chance to respond.
"Isabel, wait!"
"Why, Dad? So you can make decisions for me again?"
"You’ve always been interested in politics. You’re smart and this will take you far."
"Politics is just a hobby, nothing more! At home, we talked only about politics and cricket. I think it's normal that, eventually, it became a hobby of mine! And yes, you're right, I already know where my intelligence will take me: to my law office."
I leave the building. I don't think I've ever talked this way to Dad but I'm old enough to make my own decisions. So far, he has planned everything for me. I’m no longer his puppet. From now on, my life is mine and I’ll manage it.
Two weeks go by. The studio has begun to have its first clients, and we talk to Nathan almost every three days, more or less.
I’m in court to settle a case, and I hear the guards talking about Afghanistan and some soldiers who were injured in an assault. My heart is about to stop, so I decide to send him an email:
* Hi, love. Tell me you're okay. *
I collect my things and go home.
It's late at night. I'm still working at home when an email arrives.
* I'm fine, baby, we just got back to base. I love you. How are things at home? *
* Thank heaven. It's okay, love. Alice is like a mom. The office just won its first lawsuit, and I’m looking for a partner. With all the work, I can't do it alone. *
* Why are you still awake? I'm so proud of you baby. CJ's wife is a lawyer. You should have her business card somewhere on the bulletin board in the home office. Maybe she could help you. *
* Found it, thanks. I was working love, to be honest I was keeping busy because I needed to know you were okay. *
* Honey, we're not in a war zone, so don't worry. *
* Now that I know, I can breathe. *
* I love you. I'm going to get some rest. *
*Good night, love. I love you. Dream about me. *
* I always do, honey. Good night. *
Knowing that Nathan is okay is a relief. All the nervousness begins to subside, making me feel the tiredness that has accumulated over these days.
I immerse myself in work, organizing the office and trying to arrange the files of the new clients. I spend sleepless nights in the home office. I know I need more sleep but until I have a partner and an assistant, sleep can wait.
